What are some things you have noticed this year so far. Doesnt have to be limited to just the players.

1. Players seem to have a ton of respect for Dusty with all their comments. They sound like they really like what he brings to the table and are ready to give their best for the guy.

2. The Dusty hate meter is off the charts. Not so much a ton of people but the people that do hate him are driving it into the ground. Picking apart every line up, every comment, and every photo.

3. Cueto is making people lose their minds in excitement even after 1 split squad game.

4. I'm glad 1530 Homer brought Trent on board even though my strong dislike for his personality at the Post. He fits in a lot better with the 1530 crew for sure.

5. Paul Daugherty is never going to figure out why hes not a MLB scout or GM :laugh:

6. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce have great heads on their shoulders based on the interviews I've heard of them. They seem very comfortable in front of the mic, have all the right answers, and from all the reports fit right in down at camp.

7. The team as a whole looks in its best shape since I can last remember. The only guy that looked way overweight was Javy.

8. We have a lot of flamethrowers this year. Not that throwing heat is needed to pitch in the majors but its a nice tool to have in your back pocket. Have we even had a guy in camp throwing 98 since the early 90s? We could have a big handful of guys throwing over 95 on a regular basis by the end of the season on this staff.

9. I havent seen a photo of Griffey or Dunn with a glove on besides one of Griffey throwing off the mound for some reason.

10. Season is approaching fast but not fast enough

Hal#23Fan

02-27-2008, 12:06 PM

1. Jay Bruce will likely start the season out in L-ville. The Hopper praises out of Bakers mouth are very telling.

2. Agree, we have some flame throwers.......which is a nice change from years past.

3. I see Cueto starting the year in GABP. He is making heads turn.......exactly what he needed to do to separate himself from the other two young guns.

4. I haven't heard much at all about Bailey. Homer is kind of like the forgotten one so far this spring. Needless to say, L-ville will be Homers destination to start the year out.

5. I look for a big year out of Matt Belisle. 14 + wins. Wishful thinking maybe, but i think he will be much improved over last year.

6. I like Dusty, but boy does he favor the vets. Reading Dusty's comments, i get the feeling he values average to below average veterans over potential packed rookies.

7. Sergio looks to be a rule 5 bust. vbg:beerme:

Stephenk29

02-27-2008, 12:19 PM

2. The Dusty hate meter is off the charts. Not so much a ton of people but the people that do hate him are driving it into the ground. Picking apart every line up, every comment, and every photo.

:rolleyes::thumbdown
very true

durl

02-27-2008, 12:31 PM

1. There's a stronger sense of anticipation simply because of Baker's presence. And he draws more national press attention than any of the Reds' previous 4-5 managers....combined.

2. Cueto may very well be the real deal. I hope people don't start pushing him as the next pitching phenom like they did with Bailey. These kids need time to mature.

3. Bailey is under the radar...and that's good. Perhaps he'll have a chance to prove that he can pitch rather than trying to live up to everyone's expectations. (There is a difference.)

4. Bruce may NOT start the season in the majors. I fully expected him to be the starting CF when Hamilton was traded.

mlbfan30

02-27-2008, 01:14 PM

There is nothing wrong with criticizing Dusty. I initially didn't like him, but then wanted to give him a chance. However I've now seen enough to make my judgment.

In todays lineup, he's having Bruce play RF over Freel. How does that make any sense at all? We all know Freel can play center, so Bruce should be getting the time to prove he can.

Just right now it was a 6 pitch inning against the Reds due to their agressiveness. This is a pattern and will be throughout the season, and will cause the Reds to lose several games they shouldn't have.

Caveman Techie

02-27-2008, 01:45 PM

Very good thread Bip. Here are my observations.

-Cueto is breaking down the door to the ML team

-Jay Bruce doesn't walk on water, he kind of skims the top. :)

-Dusty Baker could smile and say "hello" and the haters would go ballistic.

redsfanmia

02-27-2008, 01:46 PM

There is nothing wrong with criticizing Dusty. I initially didn't like him, but then wanted to give him a chance. However I've now seen enough to make my judgment.

In todays lineup, he's having Bruce play RF over Freel. How does that make any sense at all? We all know Freel can play center, so Bruce should be getting the time to prove he can.

Just right now it was a 6 pitch inning against the Reds due to their agressiveness. This is a pattern and will be throughout the season, and will cause the Reds to lose several games they shouldn't have.

Its the first spring training game, I dont think Dusty is going to run his everyday line-up out there for 9 innings. I just dont understand the killing that Dusty is getting, look at the job he did in San Francisco. The guy is a legit leader of men I dont think we have had a legitimate manager since Trader Jack or Davy Johnson.

BLEEDS

02-27-2008, 02:20 PM

BIG NUMBER ONE: Dusty Baker has no idea how to create a lineup based on ABILITY.
I expect to see this every day, regardless of who mans the positions:

1 - CF
2 - SS
3 - Griff
4 - BP
5 - Dunn
6 - EE
7 - 1B
8 - Catcher

He has SERIOUS Man-love for Hopper and Freel. Two of the worst possible people to start your lineup 1/2, and from today's lineup:

What it means is that he has MAN LOVE for Freel and Hopper. WOW, they are batting 1st AND 2nd.
At least stick with your CF-SS and bat Keppinger 2nd. YUCK!

I can't express in words how much having Freel and Hopper 4 positions in front of Votto/Bruce makes me want to vomit.

PEACE

-BLEEDS

smoke6

02-27-2008, 02:24 PM

The NUMBER 1 thing I like about Spring Training so far is that AD admitted that NOT DOING the little things under Jerry Narron were "NO BIG DEAL", but with Dusty it is a big deal.

Coming soon...Baseball being played the right way.

mlbfan30

02-27-2008, 02:42 PM

The NUMBER 1 thing I like about Spring Training so far is that AD admitted that NOT DOING the little things under Jerry Narron were "NO BIG DEAL", but with Dusty it is a big deal.

Coming soon...Baseball being played the right way.

Come on... ARE YOU SERIOUS? Narron was ALL ABOUT Playing the game the Right Way. Any Reds fan Knows this.

smoke6

02-27-2008, 02:45 PM

Come on... ARE YOU SERIOUS? Narron was ALL ABOUT Playing the game the Right Way. Any Reds fan Knows this.

LOL, o.k. But now people are admitting it. :thumbup:

757690

02-27-2008, 02:54 PM

Narron was all about playing the game the right way, but was not able to get that across to the players.

Dunn's quote implies that Narron was not strict enough or consistent enough in enforcing his rules, (which seems to be backed up by how the team played) and that Dusty has already shown that he will be strict enough.

Remember how he benched EE for not running out a pop out, but did not bench Phillips when he did not run out a fly ball that he thought was a homer? Things like that make players doubt what the manager says.

Bip Roberts

02-27-2008, 03:10 PM

Narron wasnt personable, Dusty seems to be excelling in getting the guys to do what he wants and keeping them happy while saying it.

Probably the respect factor

GoReds33

02-27-2008, 03:21 PM

I think I've noticed that Volquez is for real. He's an excellent young player, and probably has just as much, if not more potential as Bailey and Cueto.

Bip Roberts

02-27-2008, 03:24 PM

Hopefully we see him throw to some live hitters soon

ChatterRed

02-27-2008, 04:50 PM

Cueto
Bailey
Volquez
Maloney
Reineke

Future stars?

schmidty622

02-27-2008, 05:01 PM

Cueto
Bailey
Volquez
Maloney
Reineke

Future stars?

Looks like the reds 4 top starters and closer for the next 6-8 years.

jmac

02-27-2008, 06:44 PM

Can someone please post a copy or link to the boxscore of the game today?
I have checked several sites and none so far give an actual boxscore except winning/losing pitcher.
Thanks !

gedred69

02-27-2008, 06:48 PM

I've noticed that Cueto has all the talent in the world, yet appears to have a need to control his emotions. (Mario Soto says)!! Pot calling the kettle:D Don't want another Zambrano.......

I am wondering about what is going on with Gonzo.

Outside of Hopper or Freel, who can lead off? Maybe Kep'?

I think/hope Burton is for real.

Bruce must astound to make the OD Roster.

After the defensive play today, and what he showed in Sept. Votto is ready. The defensive weakness they claimed last year was a lame excuse for leaving him at Louisville so long last year.

757690

02-27-2008, 06:49 PM

Can someone please post a copy or link to the boxscore of the game today?
I have checked several sites and none so far give an actual boxscore except winning/losing pitcher.
Thanks !

Here you go. Not sure you want to see it however.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2008_02_27_cinmlb_phimlb_1

Bip Roberts

02-27-2008, 06:57 PM

Id welcome some emotional pitching to this rotation. Not out of control lose their mind start throwing 100 just because they are nuts emotion but enough to get the point across.

smoke6

02-27-2008, 07:05 PM

Id welcome some emotional pitching to this rotation. Not out of control lose their mind start throwing 100 just because they are nuts emotion but enough to get the point across.

I like emotional pitching as long as it positive emotion. Zombrano is good until he gets knocked around a bit the he's done.

Bip Roberts

02-27-2008, 07:07 PM

I like emotional pitching as long as it positive emotion. Zombrano is good until he gets knocked around a bit the he's done.

Yea no doubt that when Zambrano loses his mind hes the hitters best friend.

Im talking about if someone pulls a stunt we have someone come back at put one in his back :laugh: I want some Pedro, Ryan, Clemens, Johnson type attitudes out there.

jmac

02-27-2008, 07:31 PM

Here you go. Not sure you want to see it however.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2008_02_27_cinmlb_phimlb_1

Thanks.

smoke6

02-27-2008, 07:45 PM

Yea no doubt that when Zambrano loses his mind hes the hitters best friend.

Im talking about if someone pulls a stunt we have someone come back at put one in his back :laugh: I want some Pedro, Ryan, Clemens, Johnson type attitudes out there.

I have always loved Rocket's attitude when he pitches (to bad he's a liar).

But NOBODY beats Nolan Ryan...Fearless.

gedred69

02-27-2008, 07:46 PM

I remember a game a couple years ago against the Reds when Zambrano started to get in trouble. He lost control, and deliberately hit a batter, bringing a warning to both benches. A batter or two later, he repeated, and was tossed and the Cubs lost. My point was, he should be one of the best 2-3 pitchers in all of baseball, but alas, his lack of emotional control keeps him at the fringe of that elite group. It could well be the difference that would get the hated Cubs over the curse of the goat. Intensity is a good thing in a pitcher. Emotions run amok can be a crucial game killer.

mlbfan30

02-27-2008, 08:47 PM

You guys don't know Cueto's emotions. Your going to just blindly listen to Soto? Could you link to the quote? Cueto has been praised for being a "pitcher" and not a thrower, so I'm not sure if this is a big deal. Let's see how he acts in MLB games before we judge how emotional he is on the mound.

Bip Roberts

02-27-2008, 08:58 PM

You guys don't know Cueto's emotions. Your going to just blindly listen to Soto? Could you link to the quote? Cueto has been praised for being a "pitcher" and not a thrower, so I'm not sure if this is a big deal. Let's see how he acts in MLB games before we judge how emotional he is on the mound.

Ive never really heard anything out of the ordinary

smoke6

02-27-2008, 09:15 PM

You guys don't know Cueto's emotions. Your going to just blindly listen to Soto? Could you link to the quote? Cueto has been praised for being a "pitcher" and not a thrower, so I'm not sure if this is a big deal. Let's see how he acts in MLB games before we judge how emotional he is on the mound.

Who's judging his emotions on the mound? I said Zambrano loses it and I like fearlessness like Clemens and Ryan.